Leading North East businessman, Professor Matt Boyle, OBE, has gained yet further recognition with an Outstanding Contribution award from the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), where he has served as chair since 2010.
The award was made at the NEAA Annual Awards dinner, which recognises those hugely talented businesses and individuals who are making their mark in the North East automotive supply chain.
Paul Butler, CEO of the NEAA, said: “The announcement of the award was greeted by guests at the dinner, the vast majority of whom are more than aware of the contribution Matt has made not just to the NEAA but to the manufacturing sector across the UK, over many years.
“Matt’s award, alongside those presented to the Apprentice and Graduate of the Year and the Women Who Inspire in Automotive winners, drew enormous applause from guests. These moments are always highlights of the event, reflecting the deep respect the industry has for those who have dedicated a lifetime to automotive, while equally championing and encouraging those at the start of their careers. It speaks volumes about the culture of our supply chain and its strong commitment to inclusion.”
Matt also holds a series of other titles including director of Electrification at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, and chair of trustees at The Common Room of the Great North.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to engineering and skills, he was awarded an OBE and, more recently, elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Guests at the dinner also heard that more than £100,000 has now been raised to support STEM education across the North East.
A total of £18,000 was raised at this year’s event, bringing the cumulative fundraising total to £112,000 since the awards were established in 2018. The milestone highlights the ongoing commitment of the sector to invest in future skills and inspire the next generation of engineers and advanced manufacturing professionals.
The initiative plays a vital role in connecting industry with education, supporting outreach activity in schools and helping young people better understand the wide range of career opportunities available within the automotive sector.
Paul Butler, said: “We are incredibly proud of what the NEAA awards continue to achieve, not only in recognising the outstanding talent and innovation within our sector but in supporting the future pipeline of skills. Surpassing £100,000 raised for STEM initiatives is a fantastic milestone and a testament to the generosity and commitment of our industry.”
NEAA Awards 2026 Winners:
• Geoff Ford MBE Apprentice Award – Faye Moody, Magna Exteriors Sunderland
• Graduate Award – Eve Kennedy, Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK
o Special recognition: Luke Marinan and Matthew Swan, Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK
• Women Who Inspire in Automotive Award – Maissae Drissennek, Magna Exteriors Sunderland
• Innovation Award (Multinational) – Chemetall Ltd (Viant Product)
• Innovation Award (SME) – SMS Technology
• Sustainability Award (Multinational) – Marelli
• Sustainability Award (SME) – Edwards Commercial Cleaning
• Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Employer Award – Gateshead College
o Special recognition: Lear Corporation and Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK
• SME of the Year (Service Provider) – SMS Technology
• SME of the Year (Manufacturer) – Jenks & Cattell Engineering Ltd
• Outstanding Contribution Award – Professor Matt Boyle OBE FREng
The awards have combined industry recognition with meaningful regional impact, reinforcing the strength, collaboration and long-term ambition of the North East’s automotive community.
Events sponsors were Sunderland City Council, Gateshead College, MADE NE, Marelli, Newcastle University, Nissan, Hitachi Digital Services, North East IOT, SMS Technology and Horizon Works.